Users of Goodreads – a site for browsing and reviewing books – recently voted on their favorite book of 2023 within 15 distinct categories from Memoir & Autobiography to Fantasy. Many of these novels blew away the other contenders, winning hundreds of thousands of votes. Ending in December of 2023, the voting stage accumulated 5.8 million votes across its many novels. Keep in mind that many of these votes resulted from books with large social media presences and may be influenced by online content creators and their opinions.
Despite only having read two out of the fifteen winners, I will provide my two cents for each piece. The categories include Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery & Thriller, Romance, Romantasy (Romantic Fantasy), Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction, Debut Novel, Nonfiction, Memoir & Autobiography, History and Biography, and Humor.
Best Fiction
Yellowface, by R. F. Kuang, earned over 200,000 votes and was described as “a lacerating parable about the publishing industry itself. A combination of satire, metafiction, and slow-burn thriller.” This book deals with the consequences of stolen success, an amalgamation of genres that will surely keep the pages turning. With 3.85 stars on Goodreads, many felt blown away by the story, messages, and writing – while others held criticisms.
Best Historical Fiction
Weyward, by Emilia Hart, received 62,000 votes. According to Goodreads, the book “follows three desperate women along three timeline threads – separate but related – in 1619, 1942, and 2019.” The book travels between the three characters, encountering an “abiding feminine power.” The book mixes the appeals of nature with the mysteries of witchcraft. Upheld by 4.12 stars, this book is highly recommended.
Best Mystery & Thriller
The Housemaid’s Secret, by Freida McFadden, placed at 86,000 votes with 4.28 stars on Goodreads. This book is a sequel to The Housemaid, in which housekeeper a d criminal Millie Calloway finds employment through well-off Nina Winchester. The Housemaid “explores themes of discipline and power, and victimhood and abuse.”
Best Romance
Happy Place marks Emily Henry’s 3rd dominance of the Best Voted Romance section. With a count of 157,000 votes, this popular romance novel highlights the fake-dating theme. It chronicles the journey of a broken-up couple who feel compelled to join their friends on a trip, feigning their ongoing relationship to avoid upsetting them with news of their split.
Best Romantasy
I read Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros after it had overtaken social media by storm. Everything I had come across was recommending this book, which earned almost 400,000 votes. Although Fourth Wing had 4.62 stars, a very high rating, it did not hit the spot for me. The world-building felt lacking and the characters one-dimensional. The cliches and tropes felt forced and rushed. Although many aspects of this book shined, I had to ignore my criticisms to enjoy this book. ⅖ stars personally.
Best Fantasy
Hell Bent, sequel to Ninth House, is on my list of books to read. The author Leigh Bardugo has earned my attention and respect with the Six of Crows duology she wrote many years ago. In Ninth House, “Ivy League freshman Galaxy ‘Alex’ Stern has been tasked with investigating Yale University’s infamous secret societies.” With two Choice Award titles, this duology must certainly be something to be reckoned with.
Best Science Fiction
In the Lives of Puppets, by TJ Klune, apparently brings Pinnochio vibes into the modern world. The 57,000 people that chose Klune’s novel, “invite you deep into the heart of a peculiar forest and on the extraordinary journey of a family assembled from spare parts.” With 4 stars on Goodreads, In the Lives of Puppets is definitely on my reading list.
Horror
The winner of Horror this year is no surprise. Stephen King’s Holly won 77,000 votes, pitting “uniquely depraved antagonists” against familiar private investigator – Holly Gibney. Goodreaders report they did not expect the book to get so dark, both horror and mystery thriller. If you have liked Holly in the past or need a good horror to curl up next to, Holly is your book.
Best Young Adult Fantasy
Divine Rivals was the second book I read in this list. Rebecca Ross presented a well-done enemies-to-lovers trope with journalists reporting on a war between gods. With such a unique setting and execution, I understand why it won the Choice Award. The writing, character-building, and world-building in this book are all beautifully done. Somewhere along the way though I feel Ross forgot about the war between gods, and the novel felt less like fantasy and more romance and historical fiction
Best Young Adult Fiction
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood won the Choice Award with 68,000 votes, 3,000 more than the fourth book in the Inheritance Games, The Brothers Hawthorne. Hazelwood “follows reluctant chess genius Mallory Greenleaf as she deploys gambits and strategies in the game of life.” If you’re feeling like a cute chess love story, then Check & Mate is for you. People on Goodreads joke that this is the story of Anna Cramling and Magnus Carlsen but with romance.
Best Fiction
Poverty, by America, by Mathew Desmond –social scientist and urban ethnographer– “asks some deeply uncomfortable questions about poverty in the United States, then persuasively argues for a bold new agenda of shared prosperity.” The book delves into what is happening and what should be done. With 4.3 stars on Goodreads, if you are looking for an eye-opener that criticizes its surroundings, then read Poverty, by America.